Artist: Ronnie Dunn

Title: Ronnie Dunn

Label: Arista

Ronnie Dunn's first solo album will inevitably be compared to his twenty years of work with Brooks & Dunn, the landmark country music act that sold more than thirty million records thanks to hits like "Boot Scootin' Boogie" and "Rock My World (Little Country Girl)."

On the whole, Ronnie Dunn has the same voice and some of the same writers as the duo's previous efforts—there's no radical departure. But this is a more personal, more serious listen less focused on low-hanging hooks for radio and high energy performances for the stage; a closer look at a deep artist who has mastered his craft and still deserves a country music fan's attention.

"Singer in a Cowboy Band" begins the set on an autobiographical note. Dunn, 58, was raised in the church then raised eyebrows the next fifteen years paying his dues playing hole-in-the-wall honky-tonks before Brooks & Dunn even began. On this side of success, his heart is still back in those days as he sings over a classic country-rock backbeat: Mama don't get it, preacher don't understand why I'm a singer in a cowboy band.

Dunn has plenty of fun on other upbeat numbers like "How Far to Waco"—a drive-all-night-to-see-my-baby tune spiced up by a mariachi band—and "Let the Cowboy Rock" where a lovelorn guy looks like he's been rode hard and put up wet because some pretty little thing put a whuppin' on his heart. But the latter cut's acceptance of drinking away the blues isn't really acceptable.

Far better are Dunn's ballads where his soulful Texas voice carries great melodies to memorable heights with convincing emotion. "Your Kind of Love" honors a woman who has tamed the cowboy's wild side. "Last Love I'm Tryin'" declares steadfast dedication to a relationship. When temptation comes on the Roy Orbison-tinged "I Can't Help Myself," no one actually slips.

Edging toward adult contemporary, first single "Bleed Red" is a beautiful, slow building take on forgiveness that wouldn't have been an obvious choice for Brooks & Dunn. "Cost of Livin'" may be the strongest, simplest track; a working man's job interview-turned-poem that laments economic reality: three dollars and change at the pump, the cost of livin's high and going up.

As producer and primary writer, Ronnie Dunn put himself to the test here, working through dozens of songs to arrive at these twelve, making some fine choices. Well done, Dunn.

*This article first published 6/13/2011